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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
The story is essentially a futuristic exploration of the role of computers on society in general, and individuals in particular. As one character, The Girl, suggests : 'With the aid of the computer we will be far better people, not much longer will we have minds of our own...' (p13). The characters in the play are : The Man, The Woman, The Boy, The Girl and the Tea Lady.
Pinne and Battye's conceptual design for a production is described in the Hanger Collection manuscript's stage directions. 'The set consists of plastic modules of no particular shape or size and of no particular number. The computer is a panel of blinking lights, with a plastic desk protruding from its waist. On tape, we hear electronic sounds, as the computer blinks at us. The lights come upon the man as the introductory music starts. He sings to the computer, and then to us...' (p2).
Production Details
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No stage productions of this Pinne and Battye musical are believed to have been mounted to date, although the Hanger Collection of the Fryer Library (University of Queensland) holds a completed script.
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This entry has been sourced from on-going historical research into Australian-written music theatre being conducted by Dr Clay Djubal.